i am about to order the 2 connections but i was wondering if there is anything else i should replace while i am already under the hood. is the waterpump, timing belt etc easily accessible while replacing the connections?

Waterpump should be replaced before 120k unless you hear a rattle. Replace the thermostat as well as all coolant hoses. Use RealOEM.com to help you. No timing belt as the ti has a timing chain. Thank God!

Waterpump is a 2-3 hour job. Make sure you have the proper bolts to pull it out. I suggest reading the PelicanParts.com article on it. The Y shaped coolant connector is a huge PITA. You need to remove the intake manifold and it helps if you can drop the engine off one mount slightly so that you have more room to work. Also, it helps to move the electrical harness box and cabin filter system. Other things to change while the intake manifold is off: all air lines. Especially the octopus fuel vac lines. You'll know what I'm talking about when you pull the upper IM off. Finally, the two fuel lines that connect to the rail should also probably be replaced. Once you do that, your car will be nice and reliable on the coolant/vacuum line side for years to come.

Maybe while you're at it, do brake fluid (ATE Super Blue), diff fluid (Redline), coolant (make sure you use BMW approved coolant as standard Prestone type [yellow] has electrolytes that aren't compatible and will create an electric gradient which will galvanize the metals) and trans fluid too (Redline lubricants makes good stuff). And recharge the A/C. And lube up the sunroof. hmm... anymore? Replace spark plugs (use anti-seize on the new ones!) and oil (I love my Mobil 1 0w40) and call it a year.

Oh wow. definitally very very helpful, thank you! that site realoem.com is very helpful too.

i was wondering what are the part numbers for the replacement hoses

Yep, realoem.com is your friend. :biggrin:

thank you. just having trouble with finding the airlines, "octopus fuel vac lines" and "2 fuel lines connected to rail"

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...16&hg=13&fg=15

PN #13531739618, item 2

13531433829
13531433830

items 13+16

Where can you buy the connector for the back of the head from? I cant find it on pelicanparts; I only found the side one.

I have a 95 ti what type of motor do I have?

You have a M42

Just had Y-pipe break.My guy doesnt even want to do it.Curious if there are any shortcuts you might have discovered.
Thanks,
Sam
98'Ti NYC

Is there any aftermarket y-pipes? The BMW ones are so bad and sent far too many motors to f*ing hell. You'd think someone by now would cast them out of aluminum or something.

Just remove the battery, box, and the wiring loom by the windshield and it's not really that bad.

Thanks very much.I had a feeling there was a simpler way to get back there.Now it just has to stop raining. . .
Sam NYC

I recently asked my (very expensive) regular BMW mechanic to give me an estimate on replacing the two plastic parts in question (I don't have a good place to work much on my car). He suggested that we look at replacing "all the plastic parts" in the cooling system. Not unreasonable as an idea, but he got back to me with an estimate of $1400-1500 (!). At the time, he may not have known that the previous owner had replaced the radiator, pump, etc. just earlier last year, so perhaps it might have been a bit less...

I've seen the tutorial on R&R-ing one's cooling system (http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18066). Of course, I don't need yet replace the radiator and water pump, but here's my question: is the list of parts given in the tutorial a complete list of what one ought to replace in one's cooling system? Without radiator and pump, it seems like a relatively small amount of money, leading me to assume that there's a lot of hours of work involved (hence the high estimate from my mechanic). Assuming an R&R without replacing radiator/pump, can someone who's done the work volunteer a ballpark estimate on the time needed to do the rest (assuming I'm moderately competent)?

Thanks! Any advice greatly appreciated...